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Thursday, November 12, 2015

Shabbat Shalom!

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything
in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his word of creation,
so He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it
holy, because it was the day when He rested from all His work of creation.

Genesis 2:1-3 (NLT)

Friday afternoon in Jerusalem had a
Christmas Eve kind of bustle. Men in black hats, white shirts, and long flowing
black coats and women with knitted caps, dark tights, and long skirts rushed
along with purpose and urgency. Many pulled suitcases.

It was nearing sundown, nearing
Shabbat, Saturday, the Sabbath.

Prayer at the Western Wall

One thing I believe observant Jews
in Israel do very well is Sabbath rest. Since God created the universe and
rested on the 7th day, Jews cease creative activity including
cooking, working, starting a car (which creates fire), or turning on a light. This
‘Island in Time’ is an intentional shift from work, finances, and electronics
to the faith, family, and soul. The rules ensure they slow down, drawing closer
to God and each other.

There is much hard work in observing
Shabbat. With no travel, families gather and stay together until after sundown
on Saturday – hence the suitcases. The elaborate, multi-course Friday evening meal
as well as all the Saturday food must be prepared in advance (hot plates are
set on timers for warm food). Toilet paper is torn into sections and lights are
programmed to go on and off automatically.

Lighting candles at sundown initiates
Shabbat and creates a sense of peace in the home. In addition to conversation,
the 2-3 hour Friday meal includes prayers to bless the children and a special
prayer of thanks by the husband to his wife for preparing the meal. Challah
bread represents the double portion of manna God provided in the desert on the
Sabbath and salt is used as it was with every Temple sacrifice.

Can you imagine the benefits of this
weekly observance? Close family relationships, active faith life, renewed
spirit, and rested mind, among others.

Does Sabbath observance sound appealing? What aspects would
you adopt?